Wisconsin Ag Connection - Potato Late Blight Hits Wisconsin Farm Fields

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Potato Late Blight Hits Wisconsin Farm Fields
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/25/2014

A potato disease known as Late blight is threatening some Wisconsin potato fields, but growers are well aware and making strides to prevent it from spreading. The fungus was identified in Portage County just last week and can cause serious problems for potato, tomato and eggplants as well as other flowering crops.

According to a media statement by the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, the blight is a fast-moving, community disease that can cause perfectly healthy appearing green plants to break out in brown spots, turn yellow and die prematurely. Many home gardeners run to their local garden center for a remedy. But by the time leaves begin to yellow and the brown spots appear, the disease may have progressed to a point where there is no stopping it.

On the farm, vegetable growers face the same threat every year. Potato and vegetable growers in Wisconsin have worked closely with University of Wisconsin researchers for decades, to understand the science behind what makes these blights tick. Through research, growers have developed and implemented innovative disease management strategies to both avoid and combat plant disease problems.

By Wisconsin state law, growers, homeowners and garden centers are required to properly dispose of any signs and sources of late blight before the start of each growing season. Any and all leftover potatoes, not destined to market are destroyed every year by April 15.

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